Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) are proposing legislation, "Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act," that would reform agricultural checkoff programs. According to the sponsors, the bill is to "prohibit certain wasteful, anti-competitive and deceptive behavior from checkoff boards."

Booker said, "Farmers and Ranchers are being forced to pay into checkoff programs that often advocate against their best interest and support food system consolidation. These programs need transparency and oversight so a farmer can be sure they aren't required to fund their own demise. That is why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will help increase transparency and prohibit conflicts of interest and anti-competitive practices in these programs."

The legislation prohibits a checkoff board from contracting with an organization that engages in lobbying. Also, a checkoff board may not engage in any act that may involve a conflict of interest; anticompetitive activity; unfair or deceptive practice; or disparage or negatively portray another agricultural commodity or product. 

The bill is supported by the American Grassfed Association, Animal Wellness Action, Farm Action Fund, Organization for Competitive Markets, Center for a Humane Economy, National Dairy Producers Organization and R-CALF USA.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association strongly opposes the bill.  NCBA President Todd Wilkinson said, "In 2021, cattle producers overwhelmingly denied a referendum to end the Checkoff with detractors coming nowhere near the required signatures to petition for the termination of this vital program. The Beef Checkoff has a long track record of support among cattle producers. Congress has plenty of work to do that could be far more beneficial to Americans. They should focus in areas of urgent need, rather than wasting time on these unwelcome 'reform efforts' that would only benefit anti-agriculture activists."

The bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Dina Titus (D-NV).

White House releases FY '24 budget proposal
President Joe Biden released his fiscal year 2024 budget which proposes increased funding for child care, builds affordable housing, reduces home energy costs, makes college more affordable and increases research funding. The budget proposes to cut projected deficits by increasing taxes on the wealthiest. 

The budget proposes $886.4 billion for defense spending and $841 billion for nondefense discretionary spending.     

The White House says the budget will decrease the deficit by $3 trillion over 10 years by making the tax system fairer and ending special interest giveaways. The tax proposals include:

House and Senate Republican leaders say the proposed tax increases is a nonstarter. Also, the increased spending requests in the budget will face opposition from Republicans as one of their conditions for raising the debt ceiling is spending cuts.   

USDA proposed budget
The budget requests $30.1 billion in discretionary funding for FY ’24 for USDA. This is $3.8 billion over FY '23 or a 14% increase.

Included in the USDA budget: